I just took my Bernina 930 in for it's annual cleaning and tune-up. The dealer there said he believes that was the best machine ever made. I love my little work horse and will do whatever I can to keep her running so I don't have to buy anything else. The dealer has learned not to even try to talk to me about the new machines he has on display. He knows the only business he gets from me is what it takes to keep that baby purring! So sad they just don't make them that way any more.

Well Joe I have about 20 or so vintage machines and a some newer machines. I have a Gammill classic plus quilting machine and a gammill binding machine and a Bernina 180 embroidery machine. Oh and a brother from 1990.
I love all my machines, but I love all my vintages most. They where built to last and I know I will still have them when the bernina is at the scrap yard. 3 treadles, and 10 FWs, and 3 301 A's, 2 singer 15's and a 15-91 and 2 Bernetts and a few more I'm trying to remember, LOL.

My wife's Bernina 930 came to her about 12 years ago from my cousins estate. My cousin had bought it new in the late 80s I think. I do not think it was ever serviced or cleaned. I know it hadn't been from the time my wife got it until I took the plates off around the bobbin area about 3 months ago. That machine was packed with lint and thread, and yet it showed no signs of quitting. A modern Singer would have choked up and stalled long before it got as bad as the Bernina.
I cleaned it out and oiled everything metal that moved. Now it works quiet again. My wife has discovered just how good that machine is and wants to start picking up attachments and accessories she doesn't have for it. It's worth it.

I know, it's getting bad when you have to stop and remember what machines you have. I made up a page to print for a loose leaf binder so I could record all their information. My old brain just can't hold it all any more.

I've been a fan of vintage sewing machines for a while. When I wanted to learn to sew in 1959 my Mom gave me a featherweight. It was given away when I was dumb enough not to take it with me when I left home. I started quilting in 1999 and bought a replacement featherweight. Since then my husband bought me a Viking Lily and Saphire. I still sew on the featherweight too. Last week I decided to rescue two Japanese machines, a Wizard and a Morse Deluxe 200. The Morse is at the sewing machine hospital for a checkup, tuneup and whatever else the "doc" thinks is needed. I guess I'm a little OC on this vintage business. I can't wait to sew on these older machines

I am for the old sewing machines too. I quilt on a computerized Viking machine and this morning I pluged it in and it would not come on. If it was one of my older ones, I could fix it. I will have to take it to be repaired if possible. It is only 3 years old and I keep it cleaned out after I do my sewing. For now, I just got out my featherweight and finished my project. ( not a quilt) I can always count on it and my Singer 301 with a long bed. Love the past!!!!!! Gloria

I started with a Janome 7318, and never had a single problem with it that I didn't cause by tinkering. Then my parents bought me a FW for Christmas this past year--now I am hopelessly addicted. I troll Craigslist looking for machines in need of love, and finally gave in and picked up my 201 the other day. Heck, I'm even thinking of selling the Janome, since I won't need it for quilting and I hardly ever do any mending; it's much better to steal my boyfriend's ripped shirts for quilts!

Not only are the old machines better made (and meant to be user-serviceable!) but my big objection is that the new white plastic monstrosities have no soul. No color, no life, no pizzazz. And yes, it's a mark of time changing--remember salmon colored cars?--but the new ones are all so bland and boring. Most of us here can recognize a lot of the old ones by their shape, or decals, or color. You can't do that with the white plastic ones-they all look alike!

Not only are the old machines better made (and meant to be user-serviceable!) but my big objection is that the new white plastic monstrosities have no soul. No color, no life, no pizzazz. And yes, it's a mark of time changing--remember salmon colored cars?--but the new ones are all so bland and boring. Most of us here can recognize a lot of the old ones by their shape, or decals, or color. You can't do that with the white plastic ones-they all look alike!

Yeah!! Someone else finally said it! While reading this thread, my '65 Bug kept coming to mind. It is simple, basic and easy to work on. In many ways, it is like my treadle without the whole Fred Flintstone thing going on.